Richard Birchall served as Mark Gibbs's defence solicitor during his trial for the rape of Luke Morgan in October 2000. After questioning all witnesses - including Mark (who lied repeatedly at the stand) and Luke - Mr. Birchall used his closing statement in an attempt to convince the jury that Luke was claiming rape out of confusion for his sexuality and feelings for Mark. However, the jury believed Luke, finding Mark and his friends Kenny Boyd and Stephen MacGregor guilty.